1. The Bill of Rights California State Standard HSS 8.2.6

2. Grade/Subject Liberty Middle School – EDI 2013 2 LO: Students will be able to define the Bill of Rights and explain the reasons it was added to the Constitution. APK: Building/recalling background information. READ WITH ME. The founding fathers* were students of the Enlightenment (which we studied last year). Many Enlightenment ideas had already found their way into our government by the time the Constitution was signed. John Locke’s idea of the consent of the governed and “life and liberty” had been used in the Declaration of Independence, and Montesquieu’s idea of the separation of powers is demonstrated by our 3 branches of government in our Constitution. But what about Voltaire’s ideas of free speech and Beccaria’s desire to get rid of cruel and unusual punishment? Nowhere in the Constitution were these rights mentioned. AND, the colonists had very recently experienced what happens when governments don’t respect the people’s rights. Make the Connection! APK to LO: (T) Students, now we are going to examine these rights and see how they were added to our Constitution. Pair/Share: What are we going to do today? Pair/Share: What were some rights missing from the Constitution? Why do you think it might it be important to include these rights in our government’s basic plan? *founding fathers: writers of the Constitution

3. Grade/Subject Liberty Middle School – EDI 2013 3 Concept Development: The Bill of Rights contains the first ten amendments 1 to the U. S. Constitution. It was necessary because some rights of the people were not guaranteed by the Constitution itself. Some states even refused to sign the original Constitution because these rights were missing. James Madison, the “father” of the Constitution, proposed 2 that the rights of the people be added to the Constitution. He was influenced by Jefferson, who argued that “a bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on Earth... and what no [fair] government should refuse.” After a lot of argument and debate, the amendments were ratified 3 on March 4, 1789. According to Article 5 of the Constitution, two-thirds of Congress and three-quarters of the state governments had to agree. 1 amendment: a change to the Constitution. 2 proposed: suggested 3 Ratify: approve Whiteboards: In 1788, why did several states refuse to approve the U.S. Constitution? A. It did not list the rights of the people. B. It did not include the branches of government. C. It did not indicate who would be the chief executive. D. It did not allow for changes to be made in the future. Whiteboards: What is the Bill of Rights? A.First 8 amendments to the Constitution B.Last 10 amendments to the Constitution C.First 10 amendments to the Constitution D.First 10 amendments to the Declaration of Independence Whiteboards: What reason would Madison and Jefferson most likely give for writing the Bill of Rights? A. to determine the election process B. to limit the power of government C. to rewrite the Constitution D. to outline the responsibilities of Congress Whiteboards: Which of these best describes James Madison’s role in the creation of the Bill of Rights? A. judge B. author C. reporter D. opponent

4. Grade/Subject Liberty Middle School – EDI 2013 4 Concept Development: Throughout the coming week, we will be examining these amendments: 1 amendment: a change to the Constitution. 2 proposed: suggested 3 Ratify: approve 4 trial: a meeting held in court to decide if you are innocent or guilty of a crime. Watch Bill of Rights Rap Video Pair/Share: What rights did you see in the video that we will learn about? Pair/Share: A’s: Remind your partner what an amendment is. B’s: Explain to your partner what we will learn about this topic…

5. Grade/Subject Liberty Middle School – EDI 2013 5 Skill Development/Guided Practice: Using your notes, complete the following. Fill in the thought bubble. What was James Madison thinking? Use and define the term Bill of Rights in your answer, and why he believed a bill of rights was needed.

6. Grade/Subject Liberty Middle School – EDI 2013 6 Closure / Exit Ticket: Today we previewed the rights in the Bill of Rights. Which right are you most interested to learn more about and why? Answer in a complete sentence.

7. Grade/Subject Liberty Middle School – EDI 2013 7 FURTHER READING (primary source ) only if time allows The Preamble to The Bill of Rights Congress of the United States begun and held at the City of New-York, on Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine. THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses 1 should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends 2 of its institution 3. RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring 4, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz. ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution. 1 statements keeping the government from abusing its power. 2 good outcome 3 signing of the Constitution and establishment of the government 4 agreeing Pair/Share: Why does this say the Bill of rights was added? It was added “in order to” ______. Pair/Share: How many votes were needed by Congress, and how many by the state legislatures to ratify (approve) the Constitution? Pair/Share: What Article of the original Constitution describes the process to amend the Constitution?